Combined stroller and high chair



Dec. 29, 1953 JOHNSON I 2,664,144

COMBINED STROLLER AND HIGH CHAIR Filed July 26, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 44 43 H43 44 H FIGJB I 2 INVENTOR ALVIN L. JOHNSON ATTORNEY I Dec. 29, 1953 A. L. JOHNSON COMBINED STROLLER AND HIGH CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 26 1951 INVENTOR ALViN L. JOHNSON FIG. 14

' ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,664,144 COMBINED STROLLER AND HIGH CHAIR Alvin L. Johnson, Worcester, Ma'ss. Application July 26, 1951, Serial N0. 238,611

8 Claims. (01. 155-38) This invention relates to a combined stroller and adjustable chair, such as a childs high chair, and it is an object of the invention to provide a chair structure which can be attached to a wheel chassis to form a stroller, or be detached from the chassis and be used as a chair.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a seat unit slidable vertically on the chair structure and held in adjusted vertical position by lock or holding means on the unit engageable with the chair structure.

It is another object of the invention to provide the seat unit with brake means overhanging the Wheels of the chassis and engageable with the wheels when the unit is in low position to enable the seat unit by its weight to prevent turning oi the wheels and thus hold the article from rolling away accidentally.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide the chassis with guide bars along which the base of the chair structure can slide into holding engagement with a hook 01' similar holding element on the chassis, after which a latch or the like can be moved to lock the chair structure to the chassis.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein two forms of the invention are illustrated as examples of means for achieving the foregoing and other objects to be pointed out,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of the invention showing the chassis attached to the chair structure and the seat unit in two different positions, v

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation looking in the direction of arrow 2, Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail vertical section on line 3-3, Fig. 2, showing the lower part of the pn'tx'i structure attached to the chassis in full lines and in detaching position in dotted lines,

Fig. 4 is a detail rear elevation looking in the direction of arrow 4, Fig. 3, showing the latch in two positions,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail vertical section on line 5-5, Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on line 6-6, Fig. 5,

Fig. 13 is-a diagrammatic plan view of the chassis on a reduced scale, looking in the direction of arrow l3, Fig. 1,

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic perspective of the seat supporting structure, the seat unit being removed,

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic perspective of the seat unit removed from the supporting structure, parts being omitted,

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair supporting structure and seat unit detached from the chassis for use as a chair, and

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a, modified form of the invention.

The preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a chassis, a chair supporting structure, and a seat unit designated generally at A, B and C, respectively. These parts are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 assembled to form a stroller or go-cart for a young child.

The chassis A has front and back parallel axles l and 2, respectively on which are journaled wheels the front pair of which are shown at 3 while the rear pair are shown at 4. Extending backwardly and forwardly of the chassis are side bars 5 and 6 secured to the axles by bolts 1, see Fig. 6. The bars are preferably made of angle iron stock having vertical flanges 8 from the lower ends Of which extend horizontal flanges 9.

An attaching ne' ber It formed preferably of sheet metal is secured to the top of the axles at Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section on line Figs. 8 and 9 are detail horizontal sections on lines 8-8 and 9-9, respectively, Fig. 7,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail horizontal section on line Ill-I0, Fig. 2,

Fig. 11 is a detail vertical section on line H| I, Fig. 10,

Fig, 1.2 is an enlarged detail horizontal section on line |2-l2, Fig. 1,

U and extends between the bars 5 and 6. The front end of member I0 is bent upwardly and then backwardly to form a hook I2 opening rearv'ardlv and. ha ing the upper end i'trearward of the front end of member ID and. defining a pocket I4, see Fig. 3.

The rear end of member [0 is bent upwardly to form a wall l5 having a horizontal pivot bolt l6 passing therethrough. A holding means or latch i1 is pivoted on the bolt and has a notch I8 in the left edge thereof as viewed in Fig. 4. The latch is made preferably of flat metal and the lower end I 9 thereof serves as a hand hold. Friction washer means 20, Fig. 3, may be used to hold the latch in any position to which it may be used relative to wall I5.

The supporting structure or frame B is made for the most part of light weight but strong preferably metallic tubular material. It includes a tubular U-shaped base or foot 25 having parallel side arms 26 and 21 joined by a cross arm 28, see Fig. 14. The side arms are spaced such that they can rest on the horizontal flanges 9 be tween the vertical flanges 8 of the chassis, and

the cross bar 28 is of a size to fit snugly into pocket E4. The hook I2 and cross bar 28 form separable pivotal elements which cooperate to connect the forward parts of the chassis and base.

As shown herein an angle element 30 fits into the rear end of each side arm 23 and 21 and is secured in place, as by welding or fusing. Each element 30 has an upright rear end 3| and these ends are secured to a cross member 32 conveniently made of angle iron with a vertical rear wall 33 and a horizontal fiange 34. The ends of wall 33 extend beyond the flange 34 and are secured, as by welding, to the rear sides of the upright ends 3| of the elements 30. A latch bolt or the like 35 is secured to and extends rearwardly from wall 33 for cooperation with the latch I! of the chassis.

The upper part of the structure B is made preferably of a single piece of tubular stock having uprights 40 and 4| which are parallel and have their lower ends fitted into and secured as by welding to the u right ends 3| of elements 30. The u per part of frame B. desi nated generally at 2. is thus rigidly secured to the base 25. The upri hts may be bent rearwardly as at 43 and joined by a cross handle 44.

Those sides of the uprights which face each other are provided with holes. These holes are arran ed in airs. on ho e for r n e h upright. and the holes of each pair are at substantiallv the same elevation, see Fi 7.

The seat unit C is formed with two tubular u-shaoed side members 50 and respectively,

Fig. 15. each havin top and bottom rai s 52 and I 53. respectively. The rear end of each bottom ra l 53 is secured to a fitting 55 havin a vertical hflle 5G fittin around the corresponding upri ht M-M a d hav ng a lateral hole 51 to register with the holes 45.

A vertical ad ustin member 60 has a rear wall SI the e ds of which are secured at 52 to the fittin s 55. A horizontal flan e 63 extends forwar ly from wall RI and h s secured thereto two de e ing gu de brackets 34 and 5 each havin a look n or hol ing o t 6 slidable horizontally there n. see Fi '7. Fach bolt is surrounded by a compre n spring 61 acting to urge the assoc ated. bo t in o e or another of the holes 45 in the correspondin unri ht 40-,

,A ivot. such as bolt de ends from flan e R3 an has a lever 1| pivoted thereon. A handle 12 on the lever extends rearwa dlv to permit manipulation of the lever. The p n ers are co nected to lever II by c nnectors I3 which are attac ed to the lever on o posite si es of its p vot. see F g. 9. RV swingin lever H from the full line to the dotted l ne osit n. F 9. t e bolts 65 can be withdrawn from their holes 45.

he rear ends of t e u er rails 52 have fitt me 5 which are freely sueable on the upri hts M-M a d are similar to fi t n s 55. When lever II is in the dotted line osit on shown in Fi 9, therefo e. the side m m ers an and 5| can slide vertica ly on the u rights 40--4|.

A seat IR is secured at 11 to the bottom rails and a hack IR has the unner part thereof secured at 19 to the too rails 52. he bottom of the back is su orted by a tube 80 which is secured b bolts BI (one of which is shown in Figs. 10 and 11) to the bottom rails 53. The tube, or cross bar. 80 has its ends extended over the rear pair of wheels 4.. and each extended end is fitted with a brake means 85. which may be in the form of a soft rubber thimble held trictionally on the cross bar and positioned to rest on top of the rim of the wheel under it when the seat unit is in the low position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, to prevent turning of the wheel. The wheels extend sufficiently above the base 25 of the frame 42 to permit the brakes to engage the rear wheels.

A foot rest 30 has side arms BI and 92 secured at 93 to the upright parts 34 of the side frames 50 and 5|, and a step 95 is secured to the lower ends of the arms 9| and 92, see Figs. 1 and 16.

When the parts A, B and C are assembled as a stroller a hand rail or guard I00 may be provided as an attachment for the seat unit. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and more particularly in Fig. 12 which shows one end of the guard, a rail IOI has each end thereof welded or otherwise secured to an arm I02 having secured thereto a small casing I03 in which is slidable a spring plunger I04 having a grip I05 on its outer end. The plunger fits into a hole I09 in the adjacent upper rail 52, and the rear end of the arm I02 is slotted at I01 to fit a stud or screw I08 on the rail 52. The guard is thus easily attached to the seat unit. When structures B and C are used as a chair, see Fig. 16, an attachment I I0 may be used which is similar to attachment I0!) except that a tray III is used instead of rail I III.

When the three structures A. B nd C are used as a stroller the front part 28 of the base 25 will be fitted into pocket I4 and bolt 35 will be in notch I8 of latch I1, and the sides 26 and 21 will be supported and positioned by the bars 5 and 6. When it is desired to use parts 13 and C as a chair the latch I1 will be moved to the dotted line position of Fig. 4 and the frame B then swung to the dotted line position, Fig. 3, after which the base 25 can be slid rearwardly on the bars 5 and 6 and the attaching member I3 and the frame removed from the chassis. The base 25 can then rest on a floor. see Fig. 16, and structures B and C, with attachment IIO preferably connected to the seat unit. can be used as a child's high chair. Whether used as a stroller or a chair the seat unit C will be vertically adjustable along the uprights 40 and M.

When the seat unit is in the down or braking position shown in Fig. 2 the plungers will be below the lowest pair of holes 45 and will be ur ed against the unperforated parts of the uprights 40-4l and the user can grasp the brake parts as and lift the seat unit without being required to operate the lever 10.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 17 the seat unit will be as already described, but the sup orting structure or frame I I5 will have axles I I 6 secured directly to a horizontal base II! at the lower end of the frame H5. In this form the wheels I I8 will be permanently connected to the frame and there will be no part corresponding to a removable chassis. The frame H5 has uprights II 9 similar to uprights 40- in that they can support the seat unit C in various vertical posit ons. as in the preferred form. The braking feature is the same in both forms.

From the fore oin it will be seen that the invention sets forth an article which in the referred form comprises a chassis A. a su porting structure or frame B. and a seat unit C which can be assembled to provide a stroller, or the chassis can be removed and parts B and C used as a chair. In both forms of the invention the se t unit is adiustable on upri hts and the seat un t when in lowest position where the plunger-s 65 cannot enter holes 45 the brake elements 85 rest on the rear wheels and the weight of the seat unit is able to hold the wheels from turning, The base 25 and the frame 42 are made of tubular stock joined by the angle parts 30, but the latter are not essential in all forms of the invention but are convenient for joining the parts 25 and 42. Further, the invention is not limited to the type of attaching means, such as latch l1, and it will be sufiicient if any suitable means is employed to hold the part B detachably to the part A.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

1. In a combined stroller and chair, a chassis comprising axles, mounting wheels and bars secured to and holding the axles parallel, a supporting structure having a base and parallel upright members fixed with respect to said base, detachable means normally holding the base on said chassis with the members extending upwardly from the base and chassis, said detachable means comprising a hook element at the forward end of the chassis under which part of the base extends and a latch normally operatively connecting the rear parts of the chassis and base movable to a position to disconnect the base from the chassis, and a seat unit supported by said members over the base and chassis, the chassis when attached to said structure forming a stroller therewith and the structure when detached from the chassis being capable of resting on said base to provide a chair.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said bars are parallel angle irons each having a vertical and a horizontal flange and said base rests on the horizontal flanges and is swingable upwardly between the vertical flanges around said hook element as a pivot when the latch is in position to disconnect the base from the chassis.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said base is slidable rearwardly on said bars to disconnect the forward part of said base from said hook element.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said axles are located one at the front of and the other at the rear of said chassis and said hook element is supported by said one axle and the latch is supported by said other axle.

5. In a stroller, a supporting structure having upright parellel members, a base extending forwardly from the lower ends of said members, axles attached to said base, wheels on said axles extending above said base, a seat unit mounted on the members for vertical sliding movement thereof, holding means on the unit to support the latter on said members at a plurality of levels above said base but releasable to permit the unit to slide downwardly on said members, and brake means on the unit overhanging certain of said wheels normally out of engagement with the latter when said holding means holds the unit in the lowest of said levels, the seat unit when sliding downwardly on said members moving said brake means down against said certain wheels so that the weight of said unit causes said brake means to resist turning of said certain wheels.

6. In a stroller, a supporting structure having upright parallel members, wheels rotatably mounted with respect to and supporting said supporting structure, a seat unit slidable vertically on said members, brake means on said unit overhanging certain of said wheels, and holding means to support the unit on said members with the brake means above and out of engagement with said certain wheels but releasable to permit said unit to slide down by gravity on said members to effect engagement of the brake means with said certain wheels to resist turning of the latter.

'7. The strollerset forth in claim 6 wherein said brake means extends beyond said certain wheels relative to said seat unit to afford hand holds by which the unit can be slid upwardly along said members.

8. In a combined stroller and chair, a chassis comprising axles, mounting wheels and bars secured to and holding the axles parallel, a supporting structure having a base and parallel upright members fixed with respect to the base, separable pivotal elements, one on the chassis and the other on the base, capable of cooperation to pivotally connect the chassis and base, latch means movable to one position to connect and to another position to disconnect the chassis and base, and a seat unit supported by said members over the chassis and base, said elements and latch means when in said one position cooperating to fasten the chassis to the base to form a stroller, and the latch when in said other position enabling the base to swing upwardly relatively to the chassis and then in a direction to separate said elements to permit removal of the structure so that the latter can rest on said base to serve as a chair.

ALVIN L. JOHNSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 375,300 Nichols Dec. 20, 1887 416,324 Cross Dec. 3, 1889 1,279,416 Osborne Sept. 1'7, 1918 2,285,845 Stinson June 9, 1942 2,465,104 Kullack Mar. 22, 1949 2,478,280 Kroll et al Aug. 9, 1949 2,481,382 Bennett Sept. 6, 1949 2,512,995 Berger June 27, 1950 2,574,743 King Nov. 13, 1951 

